Sprinkler attachment for garden hose



March 6, 1956 c aC H 2,737,418

SPRINKLER ATTACHMENT FOR GARDEN HOSE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 6, 1955 INVENTOR.

CHESTER M. Mac CHESNEY AT TORNEYS March 6, 1956 MacCHESNEY 1 2,737,418

SPRINKLER ATTACHMENT FOR GARDEN HOSE Filed Jan. 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 20 F/G. 4 f 2/ INVENTOR.

CHESTER M. Mac CHESNE) A TTORNEYS United States Patent SPRINKLER ATTACHMENT FOR GARDEN HOSE Chester M. MacChesney, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 6, 1955, Serial No. 480,096

18 Claims. (Cl. 299-105) This invention relates to a new and improved sprinkler attachment for a garden hose and more particularly to such an attachment for use at intervals in a hose for effecting the sprinkling of a lawn over a large area.

The device of this invention is an improvement over the sprinkler attachment disclosed in the copending application entitled Sprinkler Attachment for Garden Hose, Serial No. 324,486, filed December 6, 1952, now Patent No. 2,709,624, and has as a general object the provision of an improved sprinkler attachment which may be connected in a garden hose and which will operate automatically to discharge water only in a general upward direction regardless of its position on a supporting surface,

as a lawn or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a sprinkler attachment with an inexpensive, ellipsoidally shaped casing for preventing the sprinkler attachment from snagging as it is dragged along the ground.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a casing with a ring-like insert member provided with a plurality of passages communicating between sprinkler ports in the casing and the casing interior, and a gravity operated diaphragm in the casing adapted to be flexed by inlet water pressure, the construction and arrangement being such that the diaphragm is normally disposed in a position for blocking those passages which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of the casing so that water will be sprayed from the casing only in a general upward direction.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler attachment embodying a casing as described above and provided with a ring-like insert having an annular series of radial passages communicating between the casing interior and the casing sprinkler ports, a ball valve associated with each passage, and a gravity operated rotatable cam roller carrying spaced cam blades for shifting certain of the ball valves into blocking association with those passages which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of the casing so that water will be sprayed from the casing only in a general upward direc tion.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement-and construction of the elements of the,

invention whereby the above outlined and additional operating advantages are obtained.

The invention both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the follow- .ing specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 1 Figure l is a perspective view of a garden hose having a plurality of sprinkler attachments of the present invention connected therein; i

Fig. 2 is a view partially in vertical section of a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

2,737,418 Patented Mar. 6, 1956 Fig. 4 is a longitudinal side elevation of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a view partly in vertical section taken through the second embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a number of sprinkler attachments 10, constructed according to the present invention, are there illustrated as being connected at intervals in a hose line 11 which rests upon the lawn 12 and which is connected through the faucet 13 to a source of water supply. The hose 11 and its sprinkler attachments are shown in operation with sprays of water 14 extending upwardly and outwardly from each of the attachments 10.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the sprinkler attachment there illustrated and embodying the features of the present invention, comprises an ellipsoidally shaped casing 17 which includes similarly constructed cup-shaped casing members 18 and 19, the open end of the member 18 being provided with an annular flange 20 having an expanded circumferential rim 21 for receiving an annular flange 22 of the open end of member 19, whereby the two members may be secured together by any suitable means, as by spot welding. Also, the adjacent interior surfaces of flanges 20 and 22 form an annular cylindrical seating surface 23, centrally located intermediate the ends of the casing 17, and defined by a pair of parallel, internal annular shoulders 24 formed by annular S-shaped flanges 27.

Further, the casing 17 comprises a cup-shaped coupling member 28 turned inwardly at each end of the casing and having an internally threaded cylindrical wall 28a for receiving threaded hose connectors 29. Communication between the coupling members is provided by a plurality of apertures 30 in the inner end walls of the members 28, these end walls terminating in two centrally disposed, ax-' ially aligned bearings 31 for a purpose as subsequently described. Also, the casing 17 is provided with two annular series of sprinkler ports 32 and 33, the two, series being spaced around the periphery of the casing on opposite sides of the rim 21. Water passages for communicating between these portsand the casing interior are provided in a cylindrical valve insert 34, as best shown in Fig. 2, which insert snugly fits between the spaced shoulders 24 and has an annular exterior surface in substantially water-tight engagement with the annular casing seating surface 23. Also, the insert.34 provides an annular radial shoulder 35 facing the inlet flow of the wate through the casing 17. a

. More particularly, the water passages include an annular series of longitudinal bores 37 opening through the shoulder 35 into communication with theright-hand or inlet side of the casing 17. Each of the sprinkler ports 32 is connected to a respective bore 37' by a passage 38 which extends from each port at a slight angle toward the discharge end of the casing so that sprays emitting from the sprinkler ports 32 will be inclined slightly toward the inlet end of the casing. Each of the sprinkler ports 33 is connected to a bore 37 by a respective passage 39 which extends from each port at a slight angle toward the A inlet end of the casing so that sprays emitting from the so that the sprinkler automatically functions to emit sprays only in an upward direction no matter what its position may be with respect 'to the supporting surfaceof the'ground. This blocking means comprises a shaft 41 whichextends through the opening 'fi and-is secured at each 'endin'a bearing 3-li soas 'to-bedispose d in a sub stantially coaxial relation with'the insert '34. Ky-best shown 'in-Figs. "2 and '3, the shaft carries'a truncated-boneshaped hub 42 rotatable on the shaft 41 and positioned withitsbase closely adjacent tot h'e shoulder 35. The diameter 'of the hub gradually "increases from the-inlet side of 't h'e casing toward the shoulder 35 to aid in di recting inlet watertoward thebore's'37. I

The'basefendfof the hub Q-Zcarries a relatively -fixed diaphragm {3 'Which "isjn ormally rotatable "with the hiib about the shaft 41. This diaphraigrn is half circular in form'andclos'ely overlies 'a substantial portion of 'the inlet side of the openingdt) and provides, with sj lgafcrescent 'shaped opening 4 4 through whie hfinlet vvater fr'nay' pass to thedischarge -end 'of the cas in'g 17. The diaphragm has a'radius such that it overlies -certain fof thebores 37 and extends through an arc'ofapproxi- 'niately l 80?. fWhen the diaphragm is in the po'si tiorr'as shown'inf 3, a'nd when his flexed against "the insert shoulder 35 by the inlet water pressure,'itis etfectiye "to blockandseal the lower halfportion ofthebo res'37for,

more particularly, to b lock' all 'of' the bores 'exceptfthose through which waterimay pass to 'spray from the ports 32 'and33 in'a general upward direction.

The diaphragm 43 is automatically positioned 'in such fablo'cking position by apendu'lum 45 includinga weight "47 which is fixed to and hung in a spaced parallel relation to the hub 42 by a pair of arms 48. The longitudinal axis iof thependulum weight 47 passes through the bisecting radius ofthe diaphragm, so that the diaphragm will hor- 35 'mally'overlie approximately'the lower one-half of bores ;37, regardless"of the position of thecasing17'in relation tofth'e gr'ound (Fig.3).

The diaphragrn'may be formed'of any'suitable material having that degree of flexibility which will 'enable inletwa'ter pressure to flex and lock ita'gainst the shoulder 35 of the valve insert 34 while retaining a degree f resiliency so that it is normally disposed closely-'jadjac'ent to 'but free of'the insert' when unfiexed by water pressure r e Considerin'g now the operation of the above-described sprinkler attachment, it will be understood that, whenthe "valve 13'is' opjened,inlet wa'ter will enter" from the hose IL pass through the inletapertures 3i) and into the r ilg h'tiha'rildfportion ofjthesprinklerjcasing Since theperidulum L45; automatically assumes its lowest possible position, the "diaphragm WilFautQmatically be disposed inah "overlapping relation with respect to approximatelythe lower 'on'e half of'thebores--37, regardless" of the relativeposi- "'tion of 'the" casing to the sup portingground surface. The reduced 44*above the diaphragmaids inbuildi rig upfinletfpres'sure in the casing 19 which "fiexesfthe dia- "phragm' 43 against the shoulder '35 and locksdt'in blocking position as-shown in Fig. 3. This causes'inlet water jtofentgifthe upper unblocked bores 37 and to be dischargedflas sprays in a general upward direction" from "the casin g'l'l, while theremainder of the inlet water flowing throughfihe opening 4,4 passes out the discharge'e'rid of the casing to the next sprinkler attachment in the hose line..

I 'Refe rringnow'to Figs. 4to 6,inclusive;there is'shown another form of the sprinkler attachmenfembodyingthe 'pres'e nti'nventiojn. As best'shown inFig. 5,'acasing"117 is provided wl1ich,'except'tor the sprinkler portsgis substantiallyidentical t'o 'the casing 17 and includes thep'arts "118' to 128 which are the same as parts 13 to28,'respec- 'tiv'ely,'-and 130 and 131, which are thesam e as person and 31, respectively. As best shown in Fig.4, the casing --117 is provided with two spaced parallel series (if-sprinkler ports 49 and 50, the two series being located on opposite 4 sides of the expanded rim 121 and being arranged in pairs around the periphery of the casing. The sprinkler attachment includes a shaft 141, a hub 142 and a pendulum 145 embodying the parts 147 and 148, constructed substantially as previously described.

The sprinkler attachment includes an annular valve ring 51, positioned in the casing between the spaced shoulders 1 24, and provided with a central opening 52 through which extends 'theshatt 141. The outer periphery of'tli'e valve ring 51 comprises a series of equally spaced cavities 5'3 having laterally spaced vertical walls and a longitudinally'ext'ending concave bottom surface "53a. *Eaeh of these cavities provides a communication between a pair of the sprinkler ports 49 and 5t and a respective radial passage 54 which opens at its inner end into the left-hand portion of one of a series of rectangular cavities 57 which are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the ring 51 and spaced equally apart. Each of tlie cavities57 has an axial 'length somewhat greater than' the width of the cavity for a purpose hereinafter described.

The pendulum 1'45 and shaft 141 are co'nnected with means forblocking approximately the lower one-half of the passages 54 so that the "sprinkler attachment auto- 'matic'a'lly operates-to discharge sprays of water onlyfin ageneral upward direction regardless 'of its position on the ground. As shown in Fig. 5, a'cylindricalcamrolier "58 is disposed coaxially of 'thecentral opening 52l'a'nd is fixedly secured at itsrighthand'end to the base of the h ub *1'42 for rotation therewith on -the shaft141. The

cylindrical outer surface, extending longitudinally 5 oftlie cam roller 58, extends from the right-handside off'the jva lve ring 51 to substantially theleft hand extrernities of the cavities 57, and'iorrns with the valve'ring-anannular passage 59 for establishing communication "betweenthe inlet and discharge 'ends'of thec asing 117.

' A series of spherical valve members 60eng ag'e*the outerlsurfac'e of the cam roller 58 and the outer p'ortio'n of'e'ach of these'valve members engages one of the cavities *57, the outer surface of each cavity '57 being spaced from theoutersurface of the cam roller 58 such guidance thatthe spherical valve members 60 permit the camrol'ler 58"to'rotate with'ease. Thediameter offeach .valve mem'ber'do is such that it is shiftable longitudinally'of its respective' cavity'57 but is maintained in substa'ntially 'a"constant lateral position with respect thereto. n

p The camroller 58 comprises a pair of arcuate,'radif ally di'sposed, spaced cam blades 61 and 62 'wl iehare fixed on opposite sides of the cam roller in such positions that the longitudinal axis of the pendulum weight L147 passes through the bisecting radius of bothof the "arcuate cam"blades,'so that the camblades are normally Qlieldbythe pendulum in the positions shown "in Figs.

{"S'j'a'nd 6, in'anyrotary position'of the casi ng "11 7. "illustrated, the cam blade 62 operates to shiftihtoj 'left hand passage closing position those hall*valvs"'60 ii which are associated with the passages 54 havin'g"a general"downward direction so that'the 'ballwalves automatically close the mouths of those passages whichiai'e 'directeddownwardly in any position of the casing. The

eam{blade '6 1'is operative for shifting into aright 'hanil passage opening position those ball 'valvesf60assoeiated with the passages 54 which have a general up v'v'ardliirectio'n, "so that those passages are unblocked and sprays oftvvatefiai-e: thus discharged from the" casing on1 {in "a 65 general *upward, direction. Furthermore, the arrange meat is "such that the initial 'con tact 'between a cam -blade and a spherical valve member is"always orr efite so thatthe valve 'rriernber is rnoved in the diiectidnbfthe laigr segmental spherical portion' thereof, aiid'the 'sph'erimeal valve members are moved in 'the pi'oper difeetion without jamming. V

Considering now the operation of the above deserjibe'd 'sprinkler attachment, it will'be understood that a hose will be equipped with a plurality of sprinklers as',"shown in Fig. 1. When the valve 13 is opened water will enter same from the hose 11, pass through inlet apertures 130 and into the right-hand portion 119 of the sprinkler casing. Since the pendulum 145 automatically assumes the lowest position possible, the cam blades 61 and 62 will be in the positions shown in Figs. and 6. The spherical valve members 60, .in the lower half of the series, will be shifted to their left-hand positions by the cam 62 and will drop into a seating position across their respective passages 54, thus blocking oif the flow of water through all of the passages 54 which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of the casing. The spherical valve members .in the upper one-half of the series will be shifted to the right-hand nonblocking position by the cam blade 61. The reduced annular passage 59 and the associated ball valves aid in building up inlet water pressure which causes an amount of the water to pass into the passage 59, between the ball valves 60 and into upper cavities 57, through the respective passages 54, and out the respective sprinkler ports 49 and 50 to discharge from the casing as sprays directed only in a general upward direction. The remainder of the inlet water flows through the passage 59, between the ball valves 60, and out the discharge end 118 of the casing to the next sprinkler attachment in the hose line.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided an .improved sprinkler attachment which may be connected in a garden hose and which Will operate automatically to discharge water only in a general upward direction regardless of its position on a supporting surface, such as a lawn or the like. Moreover, the sprinkler attachment is of sturdy, simple and light weight construction, and is so formed that each sprinkler is free to move with a hose on a supporting surface, as a lawn or the like. Thus, to secure effective sprinkling of a lawn over a large area, the hose need only be pulled out in appropriate fashion and connected to a source of water supply.

While two embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A sprinkler attachment comprising, a hollow casing having a longitudinal axis and an annular series of sprinkler ports, means for connecting said casing with a hose line, and means in said casing pivotable independently of the casing around the longitudinal axis thereof for automatically closing those sprinkler ports which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of the casing.

2. A sprinkler attachment comprising, a hollow casing having an annular series of sprinkler ports and inlet means in one end of said casing for connection with a hose line, a gravity operated member in the casing pivotable with respect to said casing around the longitudinal axis thereof, and means operatively associated with said member for automatically closing those sprinkler ports which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of said casing.

3. The structure as recited in claim 2 wherein the gravity operated member comprises a hub and a pendulum fixedly secured thereto.

4. A sprinkler attachment comprising, a hollow casing having an annular series of sprinkler ports and inlet means in one end of the casing for connection with a hose line, means in said casing providing a shoulder facing inlet flow, said means having a plurality of passages each communicating with a sprinkler port and opening into the casing .interior through said shoulder, and a gravity operated member pivotally mounted in the casing to swing in a plane substantially parallel to and closely adjacent said shoulder and operable for selectively closing those of said passages communicating with sprinkler ports which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of the casing.

5. A sprinkler attachment comprising, a hollow casing having an annular series of sprinkler ports and inlet means in one end of the casing for connection with a hose line, means in said casing providing a shoulder fac- 'those of said passages communicating with sprinkler ports which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of the casing.

6. The structure recited in claim 5, and wherein said resilient means comprises a half circular diaphragm normally disposed closely adjacent to said shoulder and overlying a portion of said passages and adapted to be flexed by inlet water pressure against said shoulder for selectively closing a plurality of said passages.

7. A sprinkler attachment for a garden hose comprising, an ellipsoidally shaped hollow casing having an annular series of sprinkler ports intermediate the ends thereof, inlet means in one end of said casing and discharge means in the other end of said casing for connection in a hose line, said casing being free to rotate on the ground with a hose line, said inlet and discharge means including a pair of axially aligned bearings, a shaft having its ends fixed in said bearings, means coaxial with said shaft providing an annular shoulder in said casing facing the inlet fiow, said means having a plurality of passages each communicating with a sprinkler port and opening into said casing interior through said shoulder, and gravity operated means mounted for rotation on said shaft and movable in an are adjacent said shoulder for selectively closing those of said passages communicating with sprinkler ports which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of said casing.

8. A sprinkler attachment for a garden hose comprising, an ellipsoidally shaped hollow casing having an annular series of sprinkler ports intermediate the ends thereof, inlet means in one end of said casing and'discharge means in the other end of said casing for connection in a hose line, said casing being free to rotate on the ground with a hose line, a portion of said casing forming a pair of inwardly disposed spaced annular flanges including said sprinkler ports therebetween, an annular insert positioned between said flanges and providing an annular shoulder in said casing facing inlet flow, said insert having a plurality of passages each communicating with a sprinkler port and opening into said casing interior through said shoulder, a gravity operated pendulum mounted in the casing for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said insert, and a resilient diaphragm mounted on said pendulum and rotatable in an arc substantially parallel to the plane of said shoulder, said diaphragm being normally disposed in a spaced relation from said shoulder and adapted to be flexed by inlet water pressure against said shoulder for selectively closing those of said passages communicating with sprinkler ports which are directed generally downward in any rotary position of said casing.

9. Control means adapted for association with a sprinkler casing having inlet means in one end and discharge means in the other end for connection in a hose line and a plurality of sprinkler ports therebetween, comprising a shaft adapted to be fixed in said casing longitudinally thereof, a ring-like insert adapted for positioning in said casing coaxially of said shaft for providing an annular shoulder in said casing facing fluid flow therethrough, said insert having a plurality of passages each communicating with one of said sprinkler ports and opening into the interior of said casing through said shoulder,

a gravity 'opera'ted pendulum rotatabl'y mounrea bn shaft and adapted to have orieendther'eof adjacent said s'lidulderfand a half circular resiiiem'aiaph'ragm fixed to said end or "s'aidpendulum and adapted to swingin-an 'arc 'adjacii said shoulder, said diaphragm being adapted to flex nstfsaid shoulder in response to inlet fluid 'pr sure in said c'asi'r'ig for selectively closing those of said passages communicating with said sprinkler ports which are directed "generally downward in any rotary position of the casing.

'l'O. A sprinkler attachment 'for a garden hose comprising, a hollow casing having a sprinkler port interiri'diate the ends thereof, means defining "a water inlet ripening in 'oneehd of "said casing for connection to a garden hose, meansin'saidcasing defining a radial passage communicating between said port and the casing interior, valve means 'shiftable laterally of said passage hetween a'fir'st-position for'blocking said passage and a 's'e'cond position allowing 'flow therethrough, and gravity operated means in said casing rotatable about the longitudinal axis thereof for shifting; said valve means into said first position when said sprinkler port is directed generally downward.

1'1. A'sprinkler attachment comprising, a hollow casing'having an annular series of sprinkler ports intermediate the ends thereof and inlet means in one end of the casing for connection with a hose line, a valve member mounted in said casing and having a plurality of radial passages each communicating between a sprinkler port "aridthe casing'interior, means for blocking certain of said passages including a ball valve associated with each passage and shiftable laterally thereof between a first position for blocking the passage and a second position allowing flow theretlirough, and gravity operated means in said casing rnou nted for rotationabout the longitudinal i axis thereof for shifting into said first position the ball valves'associated with those of said passages communi- "cat'in'gwith sprinkler ports which are directedgenerally downward in any rotary position of the casing.

12. The structure as recited in claim 11 wherein said gravity operated means include means for shifting into said second position the ball valves associated with those of "said passages communicating with sprinkler ports which are directed generally upward in any rotary posi- "operated earn means concentrically mounted for rotation a within' said opening, and a plurality of ball valves operradially disposed cam blade carried by said roller and extending concave outer walls, each of 'said'cavities form'- ing a communication between a sprinkler port and-one of said radial passages.

'15. The sprinkler attachment as recited in claim 13 wherein the inner periphery of the ring-like valve member comprises a series of equally spaced apart substantially rectangular cavities opening toward the longitudinal axis of said casing, each of said cavities havinga length 'axially of said casing which is substantially greater than the width thereof.

16. The structure as recited in claim 13 "wherein the gravity operated cam means comprises, a shaft extending concentrically through said central cylindrical opening,

a cylindrical roller mounted for rotation on said shaft in'said opening and having its outer annular surface spaced from the "inner periphery ofthe ring-like valve member, an 'arcuate'r'adiallyextending cam blade carried bysaid'roller, and a pendulum mounted for rotation on 'said shaft and fixed to said roller for automatically maintaining the cam blade in position for shifting into the first position the hall valves associated with those of saidp'assa'ges communicating with sprinkler ports which are directed generally downward in any rotary position or thelcas'irig.

17. The structure as recited in claim 16 wherein the gravity'operated cam means includes a second 'arcuate operative for automatically shifting into the second position theball valves associated with those of said passages "communicatingwith sprinkler ports whichare directed generally upwar'din any rotary position of the casing.

18. The structure as recited in claim 17 wherein each hall valve is positioned between the cam roller and the inner "periphery of the central opening and is confined forlon'gitndinal movement within the limitsof an assoc'ia't'ed rectangular cavity'formed in said ring-like member.

nsurances Ci te'din'the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,709,624 MaeChesney May 3 l, 1955 

